"This is devastating news for everyone round here. The loss of a small child is very hard - we're in pure shock.

"Everyone in the community is in mourning. The family have a large number of relatives and friends in the area.

"We will rally round them but it's a small comfort for them. It's just very hard to put into words the amount of grief they're going through at the moment."

The only daughter of the GAA player sadly died following a tragic accident at home over the weekend. A funeral mass will take place at The Church of The Assumption followed by a burial at Taghmon Cemetery.

The Leinster Championship quarter final between Clonkill and Dublin team Ballyboden St Enda’s was called off as a mark of respect for the grieving family.

"Annabel Loughlin (Delvin, Westmeath) November 2nd 2018. Dearly beloved and only daughter of Enda and Eileen Loughlin, devoted sister to brothers Senan and TJ, doting granddaughter to William and Eilish O’Driscoll and Peter and Pat Loughlin.

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"Annabel will be forever missed by all of her loving family, extended family and the entire community of Delvin and Westmeath ," reads an announcement on rip.ie

It continues: "Reposing in her family home from 3-8pm Monday 5th November. Funeral Mass Tuesday morning in the The Church of The Assumption, Delvin, arriving for 12.00 o’clock proceeding thereafter to Taghmon Cemetery Westmeath. All enquiries please to Massey Bros 01-4533333."

A statement from Westmeath GAA told fans of the tragic news. They shared their condolences with Annabel's parents and their extended family.

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They said: "The Westmeath GAA community stand in solidarity with the Loughlin family, Clonkill following the tragic death of baby Annabelle.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time and we offer our deepest condolences to Enda, Eileen, Senan and TJ, and the entire Loughlin family, who are steeped in both Clonkill Hurling and Westmeath GAA."